July 2008

July 03, 2008

Antti Miettinen has himself a new team in the Minnesota Wild. According to Michael Russo at the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the Wild signed him to a three-year deal worth about $7 million ($2 million this season, then $2.5 million the next two). Pretty nice raise for the guy. Good luck to him in Minny.

The Stars signed a few of their younger guys today: left wing Francis Wathier, and defensemen Maxime Fortunus and Garrett Stafford each signed two-year, two-way contracts with the team. Free agent right wing Landon Wilson was also signed to a one-year, two-way contract.

Much of Wathier's season was lost to a shoulder injury last season, and he only played 15 games in Iowa. Hopefull health will be on his side this season. Fortunus played in 65 games for the Manitoba Moose, with eight goals and 13 assists. Stafford played 69 games with Grand Rapids, recording 11 goals and 33 assists. Wilson (son of Stars associate coach Rick Wilson) played last season with HC Lugano of the Swedish Elite League (30 games, 13 goals, 7 assists).

July 02, 2008

For today, at least. I'd be stunned if the Stars did much more the rest of this free-agency period, other than maybe signing another young guy or two and then calling it a week. As I said earlier, this deal is growing on me more by the minute. Avery's got a long-term deal, something he hasn't had for a while. And he's playing for Brett Hull, who he said was his idol as a young lad. Now I'm not saying that's going to mellow him out, but he may toe the line a little more, so as not to anger his new boss.

Where does he fit in? According to Dave Tippett, wherever he wants to go, as long as the chemistry is there. Hull said basically the same thing, that most forwards should know how to play the off-wing if necessary. This team is now taking on the more gritty, physical identity, something that will certainly benefit them in that black-and-blue Pacific Division. Brenden Morrow, Steve Ott, now Sean Avery. That's a snarly threesome, eh?

Well, kids, it's been a fun 48-plus hours. I'll still be scanning the TSN website to see what happens the next few days. But I also want to wish everyone a happy Fourth of July. Be safe.

The Stars took care of one of their young guys, too, today, signing B.J. Crombeen to a one-year, two-way contract that will pay $550,000 at the NHL level. Crombeen played in 13 games last season (including five in the playoffs), tallying two assists.

I'm kind of a fan of this kid. Big body, doesn't mind scrapping it up a bit (although I seem to remember one game where he got into a misguided brawl. But he is young). And he has a big, heavy shot.

Still getting folks on the phone (Avery will be talking to us all in about two hours), but the more I'm writing about this deal, the more I'm liking it. He's one of those guys you hate to play against, but you're intrigued at what he could do on your side. He's got a deal that's going to keep him in a place for a while, which is stability he hasn't had in the last few markets. Yes, he's got a nasty little side to him, and some of his antics are anywhere from funny to borderline. Still, can you honestly say you're not interested at all in watching what he does here?

Here was one of the quotes from Brett Hull, about Avery's on-ice role: "He's a compliment to Brenden Morrow, who does most of the dirty work with Steve Ott out there." Guess that frees Morrow up to be more of a scorer (still keeping that grit, obviously), but he doesn't have to carry the mucking-around torch as much anymore.

Now keep in mind this thumb's up is coming from me: fairly quiet, don't-cause-a-stir Tracey. I guess variety is the spice of life.

Just got the word: The Stars have signed feisty forward Sean Avery to a four-year deal worth $15.5 million. Avery will get $3.5 million this coming season, then $4 million a year the next three seasons. This deal apparently also has a limited no-movement clause. If I remember correctly, a true, full-out no movement clause means you can't put a player on waivers, move them down, etc, without their consent.

Will be back with more shortly. Talking to the GMs in a little less than an hour.

Marian Hossa has apparently signed a one-year deal worth $7.4 million with the Detroit Red Wings. Wow. Let's take a team that's never short of offense and give them more. Nice signing by the Wingies, I must say.I can't even imagine with their goals-per-game numbers are going to be this season.

July 01, 2008

OK, folks, got some random thoughts on Day 1 of free agency. First, this much: Les Jackson said the Stars did talk with Pat Morris, who is the agent to one New York Rangers instigator Sean Avery. He made $1.9 million last year and obviously is looking for more. The Rangers didn't want to give him whatever he wanted, and now the question is, how much and do the Stars want to go for whatever it may be?I threw out a few more names, wondering if there were talks with any of them, and got negatives on all of them. Nobody's chatting too much right now.

Still, today was quiet for the Stars. Why, you ask? Because the prices are ridiculous. Reminds me of my infrequent jaunts to high-priced department stores, where I usually find myself asking: "Can't I get the same thing somewhere else for less?" Methinks the Stars are thinking the same thing right now. At least they ought to be.

Look at last year's first day, kids. How many of those high-priced boys made an impact reflecting those ginormous contracts? I'm fine with a guy like Brian Campbell getting a big deal. But some of the others... wow. Very, very surprised. Guys who have only had one good season (or not even) were signing up for $3 or $4 million a year.

So look for things to return to normalcy the next few days... or at least as normal as a free-agency period can be after the overwhelming numbers of Day 1. I still think the Stars will end up making a good deal out of all this. And they'll get a decent price, too.

OK, two items here:1, Michael Ryder is off the board, as he signed a three-year deal worth $12 million with the Boston Bruins.2, That's another insane amount of money.

Seriously, I would've liked to see what the guy had, but he had a bad year with the Montreal Candiens. He put up his worst numbers (just 14 goals after two 30-plus goal seasons), was on lower lines at times and was also a healthy scratch for a while, including several games in the playoffs. And he gets $4 million a year?It's official. I don't blame the Stars a bit for staying out of this Day 1 mess. I think this is just way too much money going out the door right now.

Niklas Hagman signed a four-year deal worth $12 million with the Toronto Maple Leafs a few minutes ago. I loved Hagman here, and I understand he had a career year. But at $3 million a year, that's a lot of cash for a guy who just had his first 20-plus goal season in 2007-08. Still, I'm not completely surprised he got it. Look at the cash that's been thrown around already. Tons of it to be had, apparently!

Anyway, congratulations to Mr. Hagman and his new deal and new home.

OK, the next hour of free agent info is coming on the NHL Network. Gotta go